Fisheye-Elmarit-R
16mm f/2.8

The Fisheye-Elmarit-R
16mm f/2.8 is of the full frame type (covering the full 24x36mm).
It has eleven elements in eight groups. It was designed and built
for Leitz by Minolta in Japan. It has "Leitz Wetzlar"
inscripted on the barrel and is sold by Leica from existing stock.

The lens covers
180°. Straight lines passing through the lens axis (like
the horizon) are reproduced straight while the sides of the images
exhibit barrel distortion. It is an ideal lens for landscapes,
city and experimental architectural photography.

This is clearly
a specialty lens for the serious and creative amateur photographer.
It takes a while to master in order to produce interesting and
lasting images. With care for subject and camera position it
is even possible to take pictures without revealing that they
were taken with a Fisheye.

The lens has a
large depth of field. As with other super wideangle lenses, emphasis
is being put on the object in the foreground. One has to be careful
no to include feet while taking pictures! Also, since its angle
is 180°, light metering may require special attention (bright
skies, strong light sources like the sun).

The Fisheye-Elmarit-R
16mm f/2.8 displays good contrast and definition wide-open which
will be enhanced by stopping down to f/5.6. Vignetting is non-existent.